2014 EDFS Peer Learning Conference

Overview

The EDFS Peer Learning Conference brings together business loan fund staff that are working in rural and small metropolitan regions to hear best and promising practices from loan funds around the nation, learn about federal program updates from agency staff, and engage in meaningful and relevant discussions and information sharing with their peers.

This very hands on conference agenda is being developed to meet the needs of loan fund managers that are working to assist small businesses around the country to thrive and make a positive impact to their local and regional economies, and to be part of the evolving global marketplace. The focus of this conference is to convene small business loan fund staff and provide a format for intense information sharing and idea exchange, hear about best and promising practices that might be replicated elsewhere, and to create an environment for rich and meaningful peer networking.

Whether you are managing an EDA RLF, ARC Business Development RLF, USDA IRP or RBEG, CDFI, one of the various SBA loan funds, or other program, there will be information of interest to you or your lending staff.

Topics may cover basic loan fund management, working with problem loans, technical assistance delivery, building a strong portfolio, marketing and partnership building, expanding your capital pool, reaching out to minorities, reviewing business plans, and much more. As always, we plan to end the conference with program updates from federal agencies. And, NADO’s legislative team will provide an overview of federal policy effecting small business lending.

Come to Cincinnati to participate in this highly interactive learning opportunity!

SPECIAL OFFERS FOR TRAVEL ASSISTANCE (thanks to DDAA and the EDA Chicago Regional Office):

LDDs in the 13-state ARC Region: Once again, the Development District Association of Appalachia (DDAA) will offer travel assistance for up to 10 loan fund staff (1 per organization) to attend the EDFS 2014 Peer Learning Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio.

DDAA will provide financial assistance for up to 10 small business loan fund staff from the 73 LDDs based in the ARC region that plan to attend the EDFS Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio December 1 – 3, 2014.

Specifically, DDAA will reimburse up to 10 people for up to three nights at the hotel ($134 per night plus applicable taxes). This offer is for one person per organization and is for hotel room and tax only; and does not include any other costs (travel, meals and conference registration, etc.).

EDA-funded Revolving Loan Funds (RLFs) in the EDA Chicago Region: With support from the EDA Chicago Regional Office, under our EDD Capacity Building Project we can offer up to 10 EDA-funded RLFs in the EDA Chicago Region reimbursements for three nights at the hotel($134 per night plus applicable taxes). This offer is for one person per organization and is for hotel room and tax only; and does not include any other costs (travel, meals and conference registration, etc.).

To qualify for either of these special offers: Contact NADO Deputy Executive Director Laurie Thompson at 202.624.5948 or [email protected] to be added to the first-come, first-served list. She will either confirm that you are one of the first 10 and will be able to have your hotel room cost covered, or let you know that you are on the waiting list should someone need to cancel at the last minute.

Register for the conference by clicking the Registration button on the left side of this page and registering on line.

Reserve a hotel room at the Hyatt Regency Cincinnati by calling 513.579.1234 and mentioning you are with the NADO conference. You can also click on the Travel & Venue button on the left side of this page and connect to the hotel electronically to make your reservation.

After the conference, submit your reimbursement form to NADO. NADO will provide the form to you at the conference.

Agenda & Presentations

Long-time EDFS trainer, Vin DiCara of DiCara Training and Consulting, will be on hand to meet with attendees who are struggling with specific problems regarding their loan fund operations and management, a borrower, or other situation. The informal setting will allow attendees to stop by at any time during the session to pose a question or to just learn from the situations presented by their peers.

Learn how to make good loans from a leading expert in the small business finance industry. The session will cover the roles of staff and the loan committee, the criteria for decision making, documents needed from the borrower, and due diligence.

Facilitator: Vin DiCara, DiCara Training and Consulting, LLC (ME)

3:00 – 3:15 p.m. | Networking Break

3:15 – 4:45 p.m. | Making Sure Good Loans Don’t Go Bad

Now that you’ve learned the basics of making good loans, learn how to work with your borrowers to prevent defaults and delinquencies, as well as what to do should a loan go bad.

Facilitator: Vin DiCara, DiCara Training and Consulting, LLC (ME)

5:00 – 6:30 p.m. | Reception

It’s back…seven years after our first foray into “speed networking” (during the EDFS conference in Chattanooga), we are going to try it again! We’ll end the day with a reception that will foster new friendships and conversations that will endure after we all return home after the conference.

Aimed at all attendees, this session will either serve as a refresher for some or new intel for others as the trainer will walk everyone through these important documents with an eye on what to look for, how to use the information, and how to identify any red flags that may impede the borrower’s repayment abilities.

Facilitator: Vin DiCara, DiCara Training and Consulting, LLC (ME)

12:00 - 1:00 p.m. | Networking Lunch

Want to learn more about strategies your peers have implemented to overcome challenges and obstacles, or to create new opportunities for borrowers (both present and potential)? Over a casual lunch, attendees will be able to continue conversations from the morning sessions, exchange ideas and solutions, and learn from each other.

1:15 – 4:45 p.m. | Ideas that Work Roundtable

Over the course of the afternoon, loan fund practitioners from around the country will share their tried and true tips for better reaching and serving their clients, managing their portfolios, and working to build a vibrant small business environment in their communities and regions. Topics to be covered in these “ideas that work” presentations will provide attendees with ideas and information that can be easily replicated and that will most certainly spark a host of “aha!” moments. Topics that might be covered include:

Providing Meaningful Technical Assistance

Marketing Your Loan Fund to Find Qualified Borrowers

Managing Risk

Working with New Populations

Developing a Loan Fund Strategic Plan

Finding New Sources of Loan Fund Capital

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

8:00 – 9:00 a.m. | Breakfast and Conversation Café

Through this informal discussion, attendees will be able to seek suggestions and hear about solutions to problems and challenges they are facing as they provide loans and technical assistance to small businesses in their regions.

9:00 – 9:30 a.m. | Legislative Update: State of Small Business Programs in the Federal Budget

NADO’s legislative team tracks legislative and agency activity that pertains to rural and small community economic development, including programs aimed at small business lending programs. This session will offer attendees a look at the federal budget and its impact on the various loan fund programs they manage.

The always popular closing session at the EDFS conference, the Federal Program Update, will give attendees many opportunities to hear from agency staff about updates to their programs. There will be ample time for questions and answers, and discussions with the panelists.

Travel & Venue

Hyatt Regency Cincinnati

Set in the heart of town, connected to the Duke Energy Convention Center and near an array of attractions and entertainment venues, the regal Hyatt Regency Cincinnati reigns supreme amongst downtown hotels.

Here are just a few of the ways you can enjoy your stay:

Spread out in spacious, newly transformed guestrooms, offering generous amenities and expansive views of the city or the river

Go down to The Banks, visit the National Underground Freedom Center, enjoy live entertainment, attend concerts, exhibits, spectator sports and more

Get adventurous … or do nothing at all. Shop at Saks Fifth Avenue, take an invigorating dip in our indoor heated pool, keep up your fitness routine in 24-hour StayFit™ gym, or enjoy YogaAway™ in the privacy of your guestroom

The Cincinnati area is served by the Cincinnati Northern Kentucky Airport Terminal in Hebron, Kentucky. Executive Transportation provides shuttle service from the airport to the Hyatt and other destinations at a rate of $22 one way or $32 round trip. Call Executive Transportation at 859-261-8841, 800-990-8841 or visit online for more information or to guarantee a reservation. Walk-up service may also be available.

Cincinnati is also served by:

Taxi to / from Cincinnati Northern Kentucky Airport Terminal, approximately $25 one way

Megabus, downtown stop is 1 block from the hotel, located at the North East Corner of the intersection of 6th and Elm Street

Amtrak, 10 minutes from the hotel, stops at Union Terminal, approximately $4-5 for a taxi to/from Hyatt Regency